Last year, Molly Murrah demonstrated her technique for creating lively and colorful underpaintings that become foundations for her portraits. Then in her August demo, she explained her process for creating well designed, professional portraits from start to finish.

In this 90-minute session, Molly will demonstrate her technique for painting portraits that combines transparent and opaque applications of pigment. Then she will show how adding colorful, opaque finishing touches can bring your subjects to life while, at the same time, giving a more painterly, expressive look to your final portrait.

If you’re looking for a way to paint lively portraits in watercolor, join Molly for this fun demo.

Because YUPO is a slick and frequently frustrating paper for artists to use, this watercolor demo shows you how to paint successfully on YUPO paper. Using a free-flowing style, artist Cheryl Hoople creates rich surface textures and luminous dark passages, while using a variety of tools and materials to create a complex painting full of excitement and color

Learn how to approach a small watercolor painting as Cindy walks you through painting a branch of holly and berries using three Daniel Smith colors. You'll leave knowing how to transfer an image using transfer paper, apply paint wet onto dry and wet into wet, and how to let colors mix on a page. Supplies and seats are limited, please call the store to reserve a spot.

A lecture for all levels and backgrounds; from painters, mixed media, fiber to sculptural artists with ideas for all! This presentation covers a wide variety of techniques for use in a wide range of media. Learn about GOLDEN Acrylic paints and mediums, including QoR Watercolors. Gain an understanding of each product and their different attributes. Learn how to make the right choices in grounds and paints for the best intended application. Learn what to put under paint, and how to create washes, stains, and collage. We also cover the use of stencils, paint markers, pastels, and pencils, as well as the creation of encaustic-like effects. This is a great place for beginners and experienced artists alike to learn new techniques and be inspired by innovative applications. Attendees will receive Information packets & free samples.

WORKSHOP: Landscapes in Watercolor

with Hamid Zavareei August 14, 2016

Painting landscapes in watercolor can be very exciting and exhilarating using washes, glazes, spatters and other watercolor techniques to create trees, sky, landmass and bodies of water in variety of ways that allows for freedom and spontaneity in creating landscape paintings. Application of light and dark, warm and cool and transparent and opaque colors can help achieve results that could be simple and effective simultaneously. Join Hamid Zavareei, a Seattle-area artist and instructor, for this one day workshop in our Bellevue location.

Flowers are made easy when they are approached in logical layers of paint,
each building upon the previous steps. Ann will explain why this method creates
flowers that appear so real you could reach in and pick them off the paper.
Bonus: Attendees will go home with an illustrated handout!

Bring your brushes and your paints (we’ll also have some supplies on hand) and drop in to paint with Cindy. Light refreshments will be provided for this informal open studio painting session. We’ll have a couple of different still lifes set up to sketch, paint, and snack.

Angela will demonstrate her magical methods of making acrylic paint pop while keeping edges soft and color vibrant. Watch her paint while discussing what she's doing: the working properties of paint, different techniques for using brushes, meaningful color mixes.

Acrylics are wonderfully subtle, brilliant, delicate, striking, whatever you need them to be. Angela is a master of using figurative subjects in fresh imagery. Come see her in action.

Introduction to EncausticDeborah KapoorSunday, July 17, 201612-1:30 (one session only)Free DemonstrationThis demonstration will cover basic techniques to get you started with encaustic and will give you a foundation to expand upon. This is an overview of the processes which will include preparing and fusing cradled panels, applying layers of encaustic, incising, stenciling, pouring, dipping, presenting, caring for, and transporting final works.Deborah Kapoor integrates processes like painting, printing, cutting and collage with predominantly encaustic and mixed media.

The Watercolor Portrait: From Composition to Underpainting to Technique
With Molly Murrah
Saturday, August 27, 2016
12-1:30Free Demonstration

Last fall, Molly Murrah demonstrated her technique for
beginning watercolor portraits with a colorful underpainting. Now she wants to
share her step-by-step process — from creating dramatic compositions to
executing great underpaintings to deciding on exciting and memorable painting
techniques. Join Molly for this fun demo as she shows the beginning stages of
the painting and discusses how to move to a finished
piece.

A personal palette is a set of colors that bring out
the best in you as an artist. Truly, the palette is very personal and unique to
each artist. Join Alicia Harvey as she describes how she searched for her
personal palette and offers suggestions for your own search.

Painting landscapes in watercolor can be very exciting and
exhilarating using washes, glazes, spatters and other watercolor techniques to
create trees, sky, landmass and bodies of water in variety of ways that allows
for freedom and spontaneity in creating landscape paintings. Application of light
and dark, warm and cool and transparent and opaque colors can help achieve
results that could be simple and effective simultaneously. Join us to watch a
demonstration of landscape painting in watercolor by Hamid Zavareei, a Seattle-area artist and instructor.

Express Yourself with Calligraphy
With Kathy Barker
Saturday, July 9, 2016
2:30-4:30Free Demonstration (hands on)Set aside some time to play! Experiment with Elegant Writer pens, with dip pens, and a variety of inks and paints to find new ways to express yourself with beautiful calligraphy.

A portion of this demonstration is HANDS-ON. Supplies are limited. Please call 425-643-1781 to reserve a space.

Create
engaging paintings with intriguing textures. Use brushes, palette knives and
mediums to create a varied and interesting paint surface.These techniques are
great for adding play and experimentation back into your work. All levels
welcome.

This will be a great preview of the methods Liesel will later be teaching in her weekly Expressive Oil Painting classes in our store. Details and registration at her website: www.liesellund.com

Water Scenes in Watercolor - WorkshopWith Eric Lin
Sunday, July 3, 2016 11:30-4:30
$100 fee, preregistration requiredSummertime is the perfect time to practice lakes and beaches. In this workshop, Eric will help the artists discover how to depict clean, transparent water surfaces.

Come have fun! Learn to use Gelli Plates to create fun, fast printsDemonstration with the opportunity for hands on trial

Gelli plates are wonderful additions to monoprinting. The
possibilities for design and color are endless! Once one gets started pulling
Gelli prints, it is almost impossible to stop! Grand fun for beginners, they are
also the perfect addition to a printmaker’s repertoire; one can use either
acrylic paint or printing ink on the plate. Make designs with various tools,
like Colour Shapers and texture wedges; use stencils and masks made from palette
paper; make textures made with sponges or burlap to add to the fun.Please call 425-643-1781 to register.

Kathy has been experimenting with her new techniques over
the past year and the resulting award-winning watercolor/collages have appeared
in the Artist's Magazine, shown in the National Collage Society, the NW Collage
society, the Houston Watercolor Society, and locally at The Kirkland Arts
Center, Tsuga Fine Art, and Ryan James Fine Arts. See Kathy's work at www.kathycollinswatercolors.com

Join
watercolorist and mixed media artist Cheryl Hoople as she shows you how she
paints Northwest seascapes. Using a direct, simply understated approach, Cheryl
demonstrates how to add movement, contrast, and a range of tonal values to
create a memorable painting.

Che Lopez and Maria Coryell Martin are active Northwest artists who are always ready to get out there and make art - whether working in a sketchbook, on a panel, or a canvas.

Come visit with them as they describe what their essentials are and why. See examples of their work, ask questions, and get tips, tricks, and ideas that you can incorporate into your own preparation to make your next art outing even better.

Free Demonstration / Conversation: Watercolor Paper Comparison Cindy ValdezSaturday, June 11, 201612-1:30Your paper is a critical element in your watercolor paintings. This hands-on demonstration will give you the opportunity to test several papers currently available on the market to find one that fits your style of painting.

We will discuss texture, sizing, pulp vs cotton rag, lifting, scrubbing, and more.Supplies and seats are limited, so please call 425-643-1781 to register.

HANDS-ON DEMONSTRATION Cindy ValdezSunday, June 5, 201612-1:30 (one session only)FreeCome play with paint as Cindy encourages you to break out of a painting rut by adding texture and unpredictability into your work.

See what happens when you introduce salt into your wet washes. Create additional lines and texture by using screens or cling film with your paints. Have you ever used cheesecloth when painting? Now is your chance!

This is a hands-on session to allow you to explore the processes yourself and leave with swatches of several techniques for reference in your own work.

Ray Pfortner is an educator, photographer, and consultant who will facilitate discussions about moving your art from past-time into profession. All levels in any medium are welcome. Come learn from Ray and from each other.

Have you
always wanted to try watercolor? Are you a beginner? Here is an opportunity to
try watercolor for only $10.00. Cheryl Renee Long will be your instructor. She will guide you through what you will need to get started and you will have a painting
to take home.Daniel Smith will provide the paint, paper, brushes and water. All you need to bring is your enthusiasm and curiosity.Attendees will receive a $10 coupon to apply toward purchases after the class.

Saturday, May 21,2016 2:00-3:30We're pleased to welcome Henry back to Bellevue for another demonstration of his techniques for Oil Painting. Henry graciously shares the insights which have helped to build his success.

This demo/lecture will help you improve your understanding of color and of color relationships. Henry's process of painting provides a perfect context for discussing and developing greater competency with color and increased process of building the painting.

Enkaustikos products are available in a wide variety of sizes and a stunning array of colors. the whole line is priced to invite everyone to learn and join the fun. This demo will show how easily lovely art can be made in a small space with tools on hand.